The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two persons and declared
wanted a chieftain of NURTW, Mustapha Adekunle aka Seigo, over the
disruption of APC rally in Lagos on Tuesday.
The crowd at the rally |
The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Chike Oti, said that the two persons
arrested in connection with the incident were helping the police in
their investigation.
Oti said that Seigo and his entourage had gained entrance to the
rally ground as supporters before his group suddenly attacked another
NURTW chieftain popularly know as MC Oluomo.
“The said Mustapha Adekunle aka Seigo, an NURTW chieftain, came to
the rally with a group of people and were identified at the entrance as
supporters of the party.
“However, at the tail end of the event, Seigo and his group, for a
reason yet to be determined, violently engaged other supporters of the
party.
“In the ensuing melee, MC Oluomo, another NURTW chieftain, was
stabbed and was rushed to EKO Hospital where he is currently
recuperating while two other victims of the attack were taken to the
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
“The crisis was quickly contained by policemen at the venue.” the statement said.
Earlier
on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Edgal Imohimi,
had met with leaders of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW
), Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) where all parties agreed
to eschew violence before, during and after the election.
The Command, therefore, expressed disappointment at the incident,
stating that it was surprising that a prominent member of NURTW would
attempt to violently disrupt a peaceful political rally.
“In view of the development, the Command wishes to encourage members
of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of Mustapha
Adekunle popularly known as Seigo to report such at a nearest police
station.
The rally which was the campaign flag-off of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) in Lagos ended abruptly as violence broke out mid-way
into the well-attended programme.
Hoodlums suspected to be members of the National Union Road Transport
Workers (NURTW) invaded the Skypower Ground Ikeja venue with guns,
daggers and other dangerous weapons, engaging one another in a bloody
factional fight.
The situation sent panic across the campaign ground as party members
ran in different directions to avoid being hit by bullets being fired
indiscriminately by the hoodlums.
Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the situation.
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, who was making a speech, had to leave the
stage immediately and was whisked out of the venue together with his
deputy, Mrs Idiat Adebule, the APC governorship candidate, Mr Babajide
Sanwoolu, and other prominent members of the party.
Several people were injured in the violence, including two journalists who sustained minor bullet wounds.
No comments:
Post a Comment